Apprehension Trails Herders Kidnap Awaiting Train Passengers In Edo

Worry over crime incidents has heightened following the recent abduction of passengers awaiting boarding at the train station in Igueben, Edo State for Warri, Delta State.
About 31 unidentified passengers waiting boarding have been declared abducted by suspected herders living in the area.
The kidnappers were said to be armed with sophisticated AK 47 riffles,and shot sporadically into the air before carrying out the kidnap which allegedly left some persons with bullet wounds.
In a press statement released by the Edo state police public relations officer, Superintendent of Police, SP ChidiNwabuzor confirmed the incident to have happened on January 7, 2023 at about 1600hrs.
The PPRO said the police alongside other security agents, have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspected criminals through the combing of the nearby bushes at the location, and assured the public of rescuing the victims in no distance time.
Recall that on March 28, 2022, an Abuja–Kaduna train was attacked in Katari, Kaduna State.
Following the alleged terrorists attack, about 14 persons were confirmed by the authority killed and 63 were officially declared abducted, for whom over N6billion was reportedly paid to the terrorists as ransom to set most of their captives free.
In reaction to the ugly incident, the Nigeria Railway Corporation briefly halted operations along the route.
The recent attack is a further attestation to the rising security threat to unsuspecting members of society despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent claim of having done his best.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, has disclosed that a combined team of the military, the police, men of the vigilante network and hunters are currently on the heels of the kidnappers that attack.
Chris Osa Nehikhare who gave an update on the efforts of the Edo State Government to rescue the kidnapped passengers in Benin on Sunday, said: “At the moment, security personnel made up of the military and the police as well as men of the vigilante network and hunters are intensifying search and rescue operations in reasonable radius to rescue the kidnap victims. As at 3pm Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping police with their investigation.
“One victim out of the 32 people kidnapped, escaped from the hands of the abductors. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.”
He added that, “the deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has visited the Igueben Train Station for an on-the-spot assessment of rescue efforts and to throw government’s weight behind the security operations.”
The commissioner on behalf of the Edo State Government, condoled with the families of the victims for the unfortunate occurrence and appealed for calm as he urged citizens to assist security personnel with information of suspicious movements in and around their neighbourhoods, particularly in the area where the rescue operation is taking place.